Chapter 179
Julian's POV
Nora fell asleep ten minutes into the drive home, her head gradually tilting toward the window. Her breathing evened out, soft and rhythmic, and I found myself glancing down at her more times than was probably safe while driving.
She'd pushed herself too hard this weekend—not physically, but emotionally. The conversations we'd had, the walls she'd finally let down, had taken their toll. I could see it in the shadows beneath her eyes, in the way her body finally surrendered to exhaustion.
When we pulled through the gates of Silver Ridge Estate, I killed the engine but didn't wake her immediately. She looked peaceful like this, her face relaxed in a way it rarely was when she was awake. Always thinking, always questioning, always bracing for the next blow.
I wouldn't let there be another blow. Not ever again.
"Nora." I brushed my thumb across her cheek. "We're home."
She stirred, blinking up at me with sleepy confusion. "Already?"
"You slept the whole way." I got out and rounded the car before she could argue about walking herself. By the time I opened her door, she was already fumbling with her seatbelt.
"I can walk—"
Before she could finish, I scooped her up, one arm beneath her knees, the other supporting her back. She made a small sound of protest but didn't actually struggle.
"Julian, I'm not an invalid."
"I know." I carried her toward the house, her weight comfortable and right in my arms. "Humor me."
She went quiet after that, her head resting against my shoulder. By the time I reached the bedroom, her eyes were already drifting closed again.
I set her down on the bed carefully, pulling the covers over her.
I let her sleep and headed to my study. There were calls to make, arrangements to confirm. I'd put this off long enough.
I picked up my phone and dialed Ethan.
He answered on the first ring. "Sir?"
"Tomorrow's schedule," I said, settling into the desk chair. "Run it by me."
"Eight a.m. briefing, ten o'clock budget review, lunch with the regional director at noon." He paused. "Then you have a community safety forum at two-thirty p.m."
"Clear everything after three."
A beat of silence. "Clear it, sir?"
"I have private business to handle."
"May I ask what kind of private business?"
I couldn't help but smile. "The kind that's none of your business, Ethan."
He exhaled, clearly biting back questions. "Understood. I'll clear your afternoon."
"Good. And Ethan?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Make sure the car is ready at two forty-five. I'll be leaving directly from the forum."
Another pause. "Sir?"
"Don't ask. Just have the car," I said. "I'll handle the rest myself."
"Anything else, sir?"
"Not for now."
I hung up and leaned back in my chair, staring at the darkened window. My reflection stared back at me.
Tomorrow, I was going to make this official. Public. Undeniable.
---
Nora's POV
On the first workday after the holiday, I sat at my desk in the NPR Silverton office in the afternoon, editing a segment on unemployment rates in the rust belt. I was so absorbed in the work that I didn't notice my phone buzzing until the third call.
Aunt Marianne.
My stomach dropped. She never called during work hours.
I grabbed my phone and headed for the hallway, ducking into a quiet corner by the windows. "Aunt Marianne? Is everything okay?"
"Nora." Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that put me on alert. "I'm fine. But I wanted to talk to you about something."
"What is it?"
She hesitated. "Julian came by this afternoon."
I froze. "What?"
"He showed up at the house around three," she said. "He said he wanted to speak with Gareth and me."
My heart was pounding now. "About what?"
"About you." Her tone softened. "He told us he's been pursuing you for a while now. That he cares about you deeply. And that he wants to... propose."
The word hit me like a physical blow. Propose?
"He used the word 'engagement,'" Marianne continued, as if reading my thoughts. "He said he wants our blessing. That he wants us to know how serious he is about you."
I leaned against the window, the glass cool against my forehead. My pulse was roaring in my ears.
"Nora?" Marianne's voice pulled me back. "Are you still there?"
"I'm here." My voice came out strangled. "I just—he didn't tell me he was going to do that."
"I figured as much." There was a hint of amusement in her tone now. "For what it's worth, he seemed genuine. Gareth grilled him pretty hard, and he didn't flinch. He said—" She paused. "He said, 'I know Nora's value. I want her family to know I'm serious.'"
My throat tightened. I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady my breathing.
"We told him the decision is yours," Marianne added. "But Nora... if you care about him, don't let fear stop you."
I closed my eyes. "Aunt Marianne, I—" My voice cracked. "I really like him. I do."
"Then that's all that matters." Her voice was firm now. "But if he ever hurts you, we won't let it slide. You hear me?"
A shaky laugh escaped me. "I hear you."
"Good. Now go do your job. And call me later."
The line went dead.
I stood there for a long moment, staring at my phone, my mind a whirlwind. Julian had gone to my family. Without telling me. Without asking.
And instead of feeling angry, I felt... something else. Something warm and terrifying all at once.
I turned back toward the office—and stopped short.
Through the window, I could see the parking lot. And there, pulling into a spot near the entrance, was a familiar black Lincoln Navigator.
My heart kicked into overdrive.
No. No, no, no.
Around me, a few coworkers had noticed too. Someone near the door muttered, "Isn't that a federal vehicle?"
I didn't wait to hear more. I grabbed my bag and bolted for the exit, trying to look casual, trying not to draw attention. My plan was to intercept him before he came inside, before this turned into a gossip battlefield.
I made it halfway down the hall when the front door opened.
And there he was.
Julian stepped into the lobby, dressed in a suit, his silver eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. His mouth curved into a faint smile.
I froze mid-step, my brain short-circuiting.
He crossed to me in a few strides, and before I could say anything, his hand came up to rest lightly on my head. "Slow down, Nora. Where are you rushing off to?"
"I—" My voice came out too high. "I was just—"
"Trying to leave early?" His smile widened, teasing. "That's not very professional, Miss Grey."
Heat flooded my face. Around us, every head in the office had turned.
"I was going to the restroom," I said, barely above a whisper.
"Ah." He nodded, stepping aside. "Go ahead. Take your time."
I fled to the restroom, my pulse hammering.